Emma Hendren knows the challenges of managing a game night of size GIANT. Emma organizes the Adventurers League games for 50-70 players every Monday night at the Chicagoland Games Dice Dojo. Hendren is lauded for helping to maintain a large, supportive, and inviting community while juggling the many hats that come with an event of this size. “I spent eight years in the military, and during that time experienced a wide range of leadership,” said the member who nominated her. “I am continually impressed by how well game days are run at the Dojo. Not only do they run smoothly for such a large group of people, they run smoothly even if 15 new people show up on any given night.” In this Community Spotlight, Emma shares her advice for growing and maintaining giant game nights. Growing Your Game Night. Emma attributes the growth of the Dojo’s game night to visibility in and support from the store. A poster-sized calendar ensures everyone knows about AL games on Monday nights. The Dojo’s staff tell people about the event. Facebook groups – as well as an email newsletter for those not on Facebook – alert players to events. Getting to the Store Early. When growing your game night and encouraging new players, Emma says it is important to have organizers and DMs available at the venue/store an hour to an hour and a half early. They can talk to people browsing the store to see if they are interested in joining, and they can help new players create characters. (If someone arrives close to start, Emma has LAMINATED pre-gens available and lets new players know they can rebuild their characters from levels 1-4. Laminating ensures she gets materials back to reuse.) Rewarding Your Dungeon Masters. With such a large number of tables, Emma is constantly rotating and recruiting DMs. The Dojo does not charge players for games and rewards Dungeon Masters with $5 store credit every time they DM, which can be used for up to 50% off a purchase. Supporting Your Dungeon Masters. Emma also ensures she makes her DMs’ job as simple as possible. Every Sunday, Dungeon Masters can play in Slot 0 games for the adventures they will be running. In addition to experiencing the adventure as a player first, Emma provides a handout of tips and suggestions...

With rumors of a Red War on the horizon, this Community Spotlight is all about the members of the Adventurers League who spearheaded roleplay amidst the factions. Do we have them to thank for what’s to come… or to blame? Origins Game Fair will reveal all with the Red War epic! These organizers sparked groups across multiple channels for members of their faction to discuss the Red Wizards occupying Mulmaster and what to do about a foe in hiding. They share the insights they’ve learned about encouraging roleplay between sessions and continuing the game between games. The organizers also share some of their favorite moments from the roleplay leading up to the Red War and their characters’ thoughts as it approaches. Representing the Emerald Enclave: David Hopkins, whose gnome Tick Tary Tanner (pictured right) started this ruckus with a bold declaration, and Dungeon Master Shawna Lynne! Representing the Harpers: Tosh Le, a DM, organizer, and encounter editor, and J. Connor Self, a DM and organizer for the North Central Illinois Adventurers, a former local coordinator, and an administrator for cons galore (Gamehole Con, Gary Con, Ziege Con, Who’s Yer Con, and Nexus Game Fair). He also is a new author of AL adventurers and helped start the D8 Summit Charity Convention. Representing the Order of the Gauntlet: Marshall Miller, an enthusiastic AL DM around Atlanta, GA, running weekly at Gigabites Cafe, for his faction Discord group, charity events, and local conventions. Representing the Lords Alliance: Garrett Colon, a DM at stores, game days, conventions, and an organizer for PAX East and Unplugged with the Role Initiative. He’s also a former senior Local Coordinator and an adventure writer. Representing the Zhentarim: Ben Heisler, who runs conventions in the Atlanta area, including DragonCon, and helps organize, promote, and run other smaller conventions including a series of book-in-a-weekend conventions like “Weekend in Barovia.” He’s also penned some adventures for the AL and the CCC program along with his “much more talented wife” Paige Leitman. Starting & Encouraging Online Roleplay What’s In a Name? The simplest gestures can make a world of difference in encouraging roleplay. Garrett says remembering to call each other by character names is huge. He also suggests having a tell to say “I am out of character”, which makes it easier to have in-character interactions kept separate from player...

Emma Hendren knows the challenges of managing a game night of size GIANT. Emma organizes the Adventurers League games for 50-70 players every Monday night at the Chicagoland Games Dice Dojo. Hendren is lauded for helping to maintain a large, supportive, and inviting community while juggling the many hats that come with an event of this size. “I spent eight years in the military, and during that time experienced a wide range of...

With rumors of a Red War on the horizon, this Community Spotlight is all about the members of the Adventurers League who spearheaded roleplay amidst the factions. Do we have them to thank for what’s to come… or to blame? Origins Game Fair will reveal all with the Red War epic! These organizers sparked groups across multiple channels for members of their faction to discuss the Red Wizards occupying Mulmaster and what to do...

If you play the Adventurers League, you’ve likely faced foes penned by Will Doyle. This UK game designer and cartographer has written some of the League’s most beloved modules, such as Cloaks and Shadows and Outlaws of the Iron Route, and co-wrote Season 7’s hardcover adventure Tomb of Annihilation. As if that weren’t enough reason to shake your fist at this evil mastermind, Will also designed Season 7’s...

Ginny Loveday is so passionate about the Adventurers League that she’s even the MAYOR of Phlan. You might recognize her now-retired character Chancellor Calypso as an NPC in the beleaguered Moonsea town, after having won an election at Winter Fantasy 2017. Outside the Forgotten Realms, however, Ginny is a former regional coordinator for the Southeast Region and a former local coordinator of Knoxville, Tennessee. In addition to...

So, awhile back I had the opportunity to speak with both Fenway Jones and Satine Phoenix. I’ve known Fenway’s father Aaron for a while now, and he’s always been super proud of her… … but oh man, the local stores in Fenway’s area positively GUSH over her ability as a community member, gamer, and Dungeon Master. I’ve heard people talk about their favorite DMs before but the fervor with which...

Visiting as a guest of the Festival Magic Montreal, I had the supreme pleasure of DMing for Steve Bissonnette‘s weekly players. The second the game was over, the table was quick to laud their Dungeon Master, who had been observing the game, and his amazing terrain-building skills. Steve’s Wednesday night Adventurers League table has met every week for the last two years, a point of pride for Steve, adventuring their way...